“GODZILLA VS MEGALON” Blu/DVD Release Delayed

Media Blasters cover art

GODZILLA fans have been clamoring for a digital release of GODZILLA VS MEGALON for years. Well, that isn’t exactly true. Collectors have been waiting anxiously awaiting a DVD release of the 1973 entry in Toho’s powerhouse franchise, but other than completists and aficionados of arcane cinema, few are holding their breath for what is widely considered one of, if not the, worst entry in the legendary series.

GODZILLA fans have long discussed the damage done by the thirteenth entry in the cycle, with complaints about everything from the hastily-created GODZILLA suit, to the strange way GODZILLA fights, to the loud mouthed central character kid and his tiny tricycle, to the over-reliance on stock footage to pad the running time. Above all else, though, there is Jet Jaguar, the Jar-Jar Binks of the franchise, a human-sized flying robot who ultimately trumps ‘Zilla himself in the finale, saving the day. Insult to injury: he even got his own theme song at the end, leaving audiences asking, “GODZILLA who?” On top of it all, after all that build-up, he only appeared in that one film.

Classic Media gave the GODZILLA films the royal treatment several years ago, and now Criterion is releasing a deluxe Blu-ray edition of the original, yet over the years VS MEGALON has been relegated to the sin bin. Numerous VHS incarnations are out there (many with laughable cover art), but DVD, and most certainly Blu-ray, has eluded this silly treasure. Last year Media Blasters announced their license to the film, scheduling an end of the year release on both formats, but some issues cropped up.

First there was this Facebook message, dated November 10:
“UPDATE: GODZILLA vs. MEGALON, the DVD was completed some time ago and has been out for duplication. As for the blu ray we were not happy with the audio for the english dub. We have now checked several different sources including striking a new print. We will keep you all updated. We really want the release to be the best it can be.”

Followed by this on November 22:
“UPDATE: GvM, Just so everyone knows the masters are sitting for DVD and Blu Ray but at this point the can not ship as we are waiting for Toho approvals. Given this we can not make street date. We will update all once Toho gives us approval or further changes.”

December 3:
“Updates are not always fun but need to get done. We are still waiting on Toho approvals. As we get more info I will update you all.”

…and nothing since. You can still pre-order the discs wherever discs are sold, but Amazon no longer lists a release date, and without an update from Media Blasters, the future is unclear on this release. Let’s hope Toho signs off soon so everyone’s Gojira collections can finally be complete. And so we can finally, in HD clarity, see that weird dolphin pontoon thing the kid rides in the beginning.

Until then, enjoy the ridiculous 1976 U.S. theatrical re-release poster depicting a battle between Godzilla and Megalon atop the World  Trade Center that never happens in the film…